1961 Map of Topopah Spring NW

About this map

Nevada Test Site and Nellis Air Force Range dominate this desert landscape, as mapped in the early 1960s in cooperation with the Atomic Energy Commission. The topography is defined by the high, ridged spine of Yucca Mountain and the distinct volcanic features of Pinnacles Ridge. Navigating the arid basin are several named washes including Yucca Wash and Beatty Wash, alongside a series of canyons such as Black Glass Canyon and Paintbrush Canyon. Numerous survey points like VABM Yucca 6703 and VABM Leo 6195 provide precise elevations across the summits. To the east, Fortymile Canyon runs parallel to the Calico Hills, while the western edge is marked by the Beatty Trail and The Prow. This document captures the restricted geography of the high desert before it became a focal point of national environmental and nuclear debates.